Asking for Clean Heart

The Hebrew word for “clean” can also mean “innocent”. This really helps with me in the impact of my study this morning of that word, “clean”. I am in Psalm 51 and the title of the chapter in my ESV Bible is “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God” which is the first part of my verse of study this morning.

“¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.”

— Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Doing the substitution of “innocent” for “clean” opens the verse a bit more for me. “Create in me an innocent heart, O God” has a bit more impact when I am reading. I am guilty of sin and always will be. But, I am also washed clean and returned to the innocence of the lamb thanks to the redeeming blood of Christ.

As I read, I have to remember that this Psalm was written prior to Christ coming and dying for the sins of the world. Daily requests to the LORD for cleanliness or innocence took the place of the yearly pilgrimage for offering and asking for forgiveness. Yes, the pilgrimage was still part of culture, but David here is giving the example of not waiting on the once a year thing and seeking cleanliness daily.

Christ came and died and rose again. His blood was spilled that ours would not have to be. He provided that we would be washed clean. We would no longer be “required” to provide offering of animal sacrifice, as Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. As the physical temple curtain was torn, giving access to God directly, our daily ask for forgiveness was amplified as the way. We now have that direct line to the LORD and He can and will give us a clean heart.

Yes, we are to ask daily for a clean heart. We have been washed clean, but we do still need to confess daily and ask that the LORD work in us. I am a sinner always and will be dirtied up from that sin each day. I need to bathe in Christ each day to cleanse myself of the dirt and sin.

“⁷Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

“¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

— Psalm 51:7 & 12 (ESV)

I ask for a clean heart daily. I pray to the LORD, admit that I am dirty with sin and ask for His forgiveness. I ask to be watched over and that the LORD will keep me from sin, knowing that I am prone to sinning and always will be in this world. Only He can restore me daily to innocence when I come to Him asking for cleanliness.

When you pray, what are you asking for? Are you seeking only the glorious things? What if you were to ask for you daily dose of cleanliness that is only provided by the LORD?

Speak and Ask From the Heart

Ask of the LORD and He will provide. The thing is, that ask should be from the heart and not from the head. This morning I am reminded of this again as I read in the book of 1 Samuel.

“¹³Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard.” and “²⁰And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked for him from the Lord.’” – 1 Samuel 1:13 & 20 (ESV)

Hannah asked of the LORD from her heart and the He granted her ask. What a great God we have that He grants even the greatest of asks, for a child.

But, that ask was not for Hannah directly and was from the heart, and therefore the LORD was listening and granted the ask. When you review the rest of the passage we find that Hannah was asking for a child, yes, but she in her ask, she was also giving the child to the LORD, not just a gesture, but fully and completely to the LORD.

“¹¹And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’” and “²⁷For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. ²⁸Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 1:11 & 27-28 (ESV)

Hannah asked for the child from the LORD with her heart and promised that when granted she would give the child to the LORD. This devotion to the LORD and not selfish ask is an example to me to do the same when asking of the LORD. I have to ask with my heart and with the intent to honor the LORD with the results of the LORD’s granting of my ask.

Where are your asks of the LORD coming from? Are they for your own selfish gain? What if you were to ask from the heart and devote to the LORD?

God Goes with Even the Obstinate

“³Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” – Exodus 33:3 (ESV)

The LORD led the people to the land He had promised them through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But, here he is telling them to go on ahead and He will hang back, because they are difficult to lead, obstinate.

As I read the words of the LORD, I see myself and the leading of my family. I have a plan to get somewhere and yet they are resistant to my plan and feel as though they know better where we are headed and how to get there and what it will look like along the way. Now, I am not saying that I have all the answers like the LORD, but in these instances, I have planned things out and, as the head of the family, should be trusted to get us there. So, I tell them to go ahead without me and I will meet them there as I am not interested in arguing with them any longer and will allow them to do it for themselves if that is what they want. The result is that they come back to me to “fix” things as they did not quite turn out the way they thought they would.

The LORD had everything planned out for the Israelite people to get to the place where he promised them. The people thought they knew better and took things into their own hands. Then they failed miserably and would come back to the LORD for Him to “fix” it. In this instance, the LORD told them to go ahead and do things their way as He was not interested in arguing with them and would simply meet them there. The LORD was not going to work with the obstinate people at this time.

But, Moses knew that they needed the LORD to go with them and protect them on their journey. So he interceded for them with the LORD. Moses asked the LORD to go with them to show them that they were indeed the chosen people and that they had found the favor of the LORD. And He did.

So, where are we landing here. Well, the LORD does love each of us on our journey to do His will. He wants us to succeed and bring glory to Him in the process. When we are resistant to His will, He will allow us to go it alone and suffer the consequences of our self action. But, as He loves us, when interceded for, He will always turn back to us and go with us. We may not know He is there, but He will go with us.

It is important for each of us to intercede for others. We are to pray to the LORD for ourselves and for others. The journey they may be taking is due to their obstinate approach to the LORD. They may be resistant to Him yet need Him for protection along the way. The LORD will be there at the request of the righteous thanks to His love for all.

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

What is your approach to being lead by the LORD? Are you one of those obstinate folks, or know those that believe you know better and can get it done on your own? What if you relied on the LORD or interceded for the obstinate, the LORD will go with you when asked?

Intercede for Others

There are times when we there is a need for intercession. I am not always able to speak for myself in situations. An example is in the court of law, I am not a lawyer and would need someone to intercede with the court on my behalf.

With the LORD the same is needed in some situations. There are those that may not know that they are in need of help from the LORD. As such, Christians have a responsibility to help them out through intercession. Abraham understood this as the LORD was going to bring destruction to Sodom. The city was corrupt in many ways and God was going to deal with it with total destruction. Abraham began speaking with the LORD on their behalf.

“²²So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. ²³Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?’” – Genesis 18:22-24 (ESV)

Now, Abraham was being a bit selfish in his request as Lot, his grandson, was in the city of Sodom. But, even with that fact, Abraham started big asking for the LORD to spare the city if 50 were found to be righteous. And, the LORD agreed. And so Abraham kept with the negotiating and took things down to 10 righteous to save the city from destruction and the LORD agreed to the terms.

Now, the LORD knew that there were not 10 righteous in the city, yet He was willing to negotiate with Abraham because He knew his heart. Abraham knew Lot was there and I believe that although Lot was of the family of Abraham, there was no guarantee that the LORD found him righteous and Abraham was taking a flier to get some relief for them. Lot did not know what was coming and Abraham was interceding on his behalf.

There is another thing that I see here. The LORD listens to our requests and does as we ask, when it comes from our heart. In the complete passage, Genesis 18:22-33, God does not deny the request of Abraham. He listens to his heart and allows for the negotiation to take place. Here we find the dynamic of asking and you shall receive. Abraham asked and the LORD granted. It was the prayer of Abraham in intercession for the people of Sodom and the LORD listened.

I have to remember that my prayer is not just for me. I will need to intercede for others to gain, even when they are not even knowing or aware of their need. I am to come to the LORD with my open heart for others and ask the LORD for reprieve in specific ways.

When you pray, what are your prayers? Are you praying for your own wants and needs? What if you were to take the approach of intercession for others from your heart, knowing that God is listening and will grant your request?

Pray as the Righteous

I had a realization this morning that I should have had for some time, and likely did, it is that this morning it just seemed to hit me in a strong way. I have to pray as though I am righteous.

I know that I do not know of my righteousness. I only know that I am doing the work that God has for me and am actively taking righteous actions that are from my heart and for the LORD. So all that I am may not be righteous, yet I have to pray to the LORD with all of me as if I am righteous. All of my actions and work are for the LORD and are to be of righteous intent. I will learn of my righteousness when my time in this world is done. But while I am here, I am to function as though I am righteous in the LORD.

You see, it is my righteous actions that impact the world from the LORD. And yes, my impact is from the LORD, not from myself or my actions on my own. I have to be in the LORD as though I am righteous in Him.

“¹⁶Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16 (ESV)

We do not know if it is our work for and in the LORD that “does the trick”. It may be that our work is the starter of the work. I may have been only here to plant the seed and it is the work of another that waters and still another that harvests. I do not know if it is my prayer that has the “great power” or if it is the prayer of another. As I do not know, I have to take action as though it is to ensure that the work of the LORD is manifest. I have to pray as if I am the only one, and illicit others to pray as well since I do not know if it is my prayer that has the “power” from the LORD.

As a human it is common to think that “if you want something done right, do it yourself”. This is a great approach to our prayer, with one exception. I have to ensure that others are praying as well as I do not know which is right. It may be that I am the righteous one and my prayer “has great power” or it could be another. This is an area where the more prayer we have, the greater the power of the LORD will be. Not that the sheer number of people praying is the thing, it is the idea that when there are more taking action there will be someone righteous bringing the prayer, not to mention as Jesus said,

“¹⁹Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:19-20 (ESV)

I may be righteous and when I pray I have great power, yet, I do not know that to be true as only the LORD can declare righteous. But as Jesus said, where there are multiple followers together, He will be with them and as they pray, He will hear their prayer and great power will come. I have to pray as though I am the one, but bring as many together as I can in the name of Jesus and His Will will be done.

What is your approach to prayer? Are you avoiding as you don’t know if it is working? What if you prayed as though it is you that is righteous, but since you don’t know, bring others in to magnify your prayer?

Who Can Be Righteous

Anyone.

“¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” – Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)

Paul lays it out simply for all. Salvation is for everyone. Faith is the difference. Those who accept the gift of salvation and live by faith shall be righteous. I know that seems to good to be true. But it is. There is no hidden meaning. There is no cryptic approach. Accept salvation and live by faith to be righteous.

There is a thing that we must consider though. All is by the acceptance and living in our heart and not on the surface or to ensure that others have heard and know. The only one who needs to know is the LORD and that will be exclaimed through our relationship and communication with Him. In our relationship, we have the opportunity to speak with the LORD and know Him. It is in these communications (prayer) that we find our tasks to spread the gospel and do the work of Christ. It is in this relationship that we reveal our hearts to God and He sees and knows our faith in Him.

Righteousness is not for the Jews or the Baptists or the Catholics. It is for all who accept the salvation gift from God and live by faith in Him and in actions He tasks. It is offered and for everyone that will accept and live in their heart and demonstrate that through the relationship and communication with the LORD.

Who do you believe can or is righteous? Are you of the opinion that one somehow has to be special or of a certain group? What if you were to see that it is anyone who accepts the gift of salvation and lives by faith through their heart?

Born into Sin, Pray to Overcome

“⁵Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

— Psalm 51:5 (ESV)

This morning began a little sobering as I was reading. I am in Psalm 51 as I continue my study of the word “mother”. The passage is titled, “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”. And as I read the above verse, it is clear to me that asking God for a clean heart is something I have to remember.

You see, I was born a sinner and need the grace of God in my life just as David did. He understood that no matter where we are now, we came from sin and will always be sinners and need the grace of God to be cleansed. I have to remember to ask to be cleaned every day. And how do I do that, but pray for it and work to live it out every day.

My mother is a very God fearing Christian woman and therefore, I could feel that I was clean from the start of my life. Now where until I understood the difference of right and wrong, I would be accepted by God into the Kingdom of Heaven. But knowing that I would someday grow to know, I was on my way to sin and would need God’s salvation to overcome.

I did accept salvation that was given freely to me and for that all my sins have been washed away. Yet, even as they have been washed away, and will continually be washed away, I still have the responsibility to thank God for that His forgiveness and ask to be forgiven each and every day.

I am still and will always be a sinner. I was born into it. I cannot forget it. But, I was blessed with the way out of payment for my sin, death. Thanks to Jesus for accepting to pay for me. I owe Him all and yet all He wants is my love for Him and to spread the gospel that I received to all of those I interact.

I love my mother and am thankful for her love in my life. She however delivered me into sin and could not save me from the evil one. That was left to the Savior, Jesus who is my redeemer. I am still a sinner, yet through prayer and thanks for salvation and confession coupled with forgiveness of sin I have been given new life in Christ.

What is your view of sin in your life? Were you even aware that you were born into sin? What if you accepted the salvation provided by God to overcome that sin and be give the new life in Christ?

Habit/Tradition or Following God

How much of what we do in this world is due to habit or tradition and not really in the line of following the commandments of God. Take going to church as an example. We tend to go to church on Sunday’s, but why? Are we doing it to worship the Father and come to Him, or are we doing it because it is what we have always done. Another example is giving to the church. Are we doing it out of habit and not really conscious of our giving, or are we thoughtful and prayerful with every gift.

I believe that we have to push tradition aside and be more thoughtful in our following of God. We have to do things consciously in service to Him and prayerfully considering all our actions in relation to the glory of God at all times.

“⁷You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘⁸This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me;

⁹in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

— Matthew 15:7-9 (ESV)

As I read this morning in relation to my study of the word “father”, I was brought to this passage and at first reading, I was drawn to the honoring of father and mother. But, as I read on and multiple times, I found what I believe God wanted me to find. The title of the passage in my ESV Bible is “Traditions and Commandments” and that is where God wanted me this morning.

I see in the verses that Jesus is speaking with the religious leaders about traditions and commandments and how all will break them. He speaks to them to say that if there is something to be broken, it should be the traditions as they are not from God in this time. Tradition falls into legalism and does not necessarily involve thought and prayer. We are doing them because the law says to and not because it is right.

I have a saying to “Focus on Getting it Right, and NOT Just Getting it Done”. Tradition falls into the “getting it done” for the sake of doing it. Following God is “getting it right” and requires thought and prayer in order to do so. Notice in the verses above that Jesus calls out the religious leaders for just getting things done and not really thinking of whether or not it is indeed right and in following of God.

Where are you in your actions? Are you working through things using tradition and/or habit? What if you were to be more thoughtful and prayerful to follow God and “get it right”?

God Awaits Our Prayer

Oh how much it seems as though I am waiting on God to act on my behalf. But, what if I am waiting for something that I have not given to Him and therefore there really is nothing I should be waiting for. Although, doesn’t God already know that which is in my heart without me even speaking?

“¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

— 1 Peter 3:12 (ESV)

God is waiting on me. He is paying attention to me like I did/do with my boys. I watch them and watch them as they move through this world and am always at the ready when they call. I am here to help them when they are in need. I am waiting for them to cry out for my help. God is doing the same with me. He is watching me and guarding over me and will step in when the time is right for Him to do so. Otherwise, He will simply wait for me to cry out that I need His help and then He will be right there.

Just because we are struggling a bit does not mean that we need help. Sometimes we will just have to work through it and learn from the struggle and the resolution to move forward to the next thing. God wants us to succeed, yet He is only going to step in when it is something that we are not able to complete or we need the extra boost that only He can provide. If God were to do all things for us, what would be learn from that.

And yes, God knows what we are in need of, even without us saying it. The thing is, He still wants us to reach out to Him in prayer. I mentioned earlier that I am/was always watching my boys. I know them (as well as I can of course). I know when something is not right. And yet, I am not able to jump in and help without be asked. God wants to hear from me. He wants me to ask. Even if I do not know what to ask, I have to pray to Him and let Him know that I need His help. When I open to Him in prayer, my needs are understood and He is there to provide for those needs in only the way He can.

Maybe, just maybe, it is not that I am waiting on God to jump in and help. Maybe I have missed the step of reaching out for help through prayer and He is waiting on my petition. I have to ask for help in order to receive it. And yes, God knows what I am in need of, but I have to come to Him and open my heart to Him. When I do, I may not know what to ask for, but He knows now that I am seeking His help and He then jumps right. God is awaiting my prayer.

What are you in need of? Are you just expecting God to jump in and help and cannot understand why He has not as of yet? What if you went to Him in prayer to let Him know that you are in need of His help and allowing Him the opportunity to jump in?

Pray for One Another

There is definitely more to it than just what I have in the title this morning. It is our duty and frankly the right thing to do, praying for others that is. We are to bring our petitions to the LORD and He will grant them. So, even if we do not know of a need in the world, we are to come to the LORD and ask Him to do His will. But, there is another element that I believe to be of great importance. We are to pray for one another with the needs that they have brought to us.

“¹⁶Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16 (ESV)

James writes here of praying for one another related not to the unknown, but for the known. I am to bring my needs to my brothers and sisters and ask/allow them to take those needs and lay them at the feet of the LORD. I am to take their needs to the LORD. We are to petition the LORD on behalf of one another.

“¹⁹Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 18:19 (ESV)

I come with another in petition for them and the LORD will take action. I have to be willing to bring the exact needs of another and do so with them. The LORD will know that we are together on the petition and will fulfill His promise as He made in the verse above. Yes, the words above are those of Jesus and when He speaks, He promises.

So, when I pray, I pray for the unknown that the LORD will do His will in this world. I must also pray for the known that is shared from others. We should pray together and bring it to the feet of the LORD and He will take action as He promises.

What needs do you have that you have not shared with another? Are you out there trying to go it alone? How much more would you give with sharing with another and bringing your petition to the LORD together and allowing the LORD to take action as He promises?